For 50 years the North Sea has been critical to European energy. Technology and skills developed over decades enabled the extraction of oil and gas in some of the most extreme and hazardous conditions on the planet. 

As the world transitions away from oil and gas, the North Sea will again be a critical source of energy. In time it will play host to thousands of wind turbines, generating unlimited clean power. 

The UK is targeting 50GW of offshore wind power by 2030. To realise this dream, and future growth, will mean drawing on the experience of the offshore drilling and production industry, as well as new technologies and approaches, as  energy companies look to site and maintain more assets than anyone had ever imagined. 

From anchors styled like spider legs to inspection robots mimicking octopuses; design, technology and robotics advances will be continue the North Sea’s tradition as the offshore energy sector’s incubator. 

This episode was recorded live in Edinburgh. 

Guests

James Faroppa, Director, Marine Geoconsultancy Europe and Africa, Fugro

Pawel Michalak, Global Innovation Director, Fugro

Laura Aldren, Digital and Data Manager, Total Energies

Yvan Petillot, Professor of Robotics and Autonomous Vehicles, Heriot Watt University

Francesco Giorgio-Serchi, Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems, University of Edinburgh